The Audit Commission has given Redcar and Cleveland's library service a two-star grade for its customer focus, putting it in the country's top ten per cent.

And there may be more to come, with the survey saying it has "promising prospects" for the future.

The report notes that 98pc of Redcar and Cleveland's library users rated the helpfulness and knowledge of library staff good or very good. As well as good staff, the promotion of reading among children and young people was praised.

There was also a "consistently high standard" in presenting books, audio-visual material and information in the borough's 12 branch libraries.

Commissioning inspector Pat Thynne said: "The council is now committed to developing the library service as a central 'one stop shop' contact point between the council and the community.

"We believe the council's strategy to use libraries in this way will strengthen an already high-quality service and provide more value for money."

Two weaknesses were noted - the service's contribution to overall council objectives in terms of jobs, environment, health and community safety, and the fact the service, with a £2.6m annual budget, is relatively expensive to run.

But the council's lead member for lifelong learning, Councillor Ian Jeffrey, argued the relatively higher price was a strength.

He said: "It's a question of judgment and the views of our users are that they wanted the service to be preserved and enhanced. The cost was not raised as an issue."

Redcar and Cleveland's libraries retained the Government's Charter Mark last year for "excellent" customer service.

Around a third of the borough's population are active library members, with 1.3m books and other items issued in 2000/2001.